Ireland, I love you!

This semester in Dublin had its ups and downs. I was so fortunate enough to study, intern and explore in a country that was at first unfamiliar to me. However, at times it was stressful. I came to Dublin with 12 other people from my school, and people were very cliquey. They made travel plans right away, and I was overwhelmed because I did not start off this trip close with anyone, whereas everyone else had one, two, or three other people. Sometimes I felt like I made efforts to plan things with people, and the efforts were not reciprocated.

After the first 6 weeks, when the accelerated course we were all taking together ended, I [mostly] gave up on my efforts, but I certainly was not by myself. My 4 wonderful roommates - Brendan, Antoine, Laura and Paul, were so nice (!!!!), and we always managed to have a good craic in the suite. Paul introduced me to his friends from his aviation major, and I was further surrounded by funny, wonderful people. During the month of May, I did all my travels around Ireland and Scotland alone. While I did not hang out much with anyone in my group for the rest of the trip (except for the occasional lunches, dinners, and trips to City Centre), I felt I got something greater out of my program than they did: I made friends from Ireland and France that I know I will keep in touch with for a long long time.

I got to travel all over Ireland, and went to 4 great countries in Europe: England, Czech Republic, Spain, and Scotland. While I wish I had traveled to more countries, I am happy with the way the experience turned out. I went to London with my entire group - on a media related trip, and traveled to Prague with two people from my group. I journeyed to Barcelona with a girl from Arizona, and finally, Edinburgh and the Highlands by myself. Traveling without people from my group allowed me to step outside my comfort zone. I traveled to Scotland alone, met wonderful people in hostels and on bus tours, and took frequent trips on the train by myself to see the different parts of Dublin and Wicklow. I learned that I was better off alone, and it allowed me to be more independent.

Dublin, you treated me well. Thanks to all of my wonderful roommates and friends for making my abroad experience amazing. Ireland, I'll be back soon.

Reflection Post Coming Tomorrow

I'm home and all is well. I miss Ireland so much! It's currently 8:33pm, so 1:33 Dublin time, and I NEED to go to sleep. Last night was supposed to be my final "I love you, Dublin" post, but I was preoccupied with packing and had to wake up at 4am for my flight. Check in with this blog tomorrow for my reflection on Dublin.

All the best,

KP

For the Roomies

As I just knocked on Antoine’s door to say goodbye to him, and both of us are leaving Dublin early tomorrow morning, it’s about time I do a thank-you post to my four fantastic abroad roomies, and DCU friends. Here goes:

To my DCU roommates,

I was nervous to find out who my roommates were at the start, but the second I met you all, I knew we were destined to become close friends. Not only that, but you guys have become a second family to me. “Sass-offs”, pranks, humor, sing-a-longs, cooking, horse racing, and more, we’ve been through a lot. I am so thankful that the housing gods blessed me and put me with people whom I felt I could be my true self around.

Antoine: We may have got off to a rocky start as I could not pronounce your name correctly for the first couple days, but a month later, we became so close. I’d like to believe I inspired your sass and wit, but I know you had it in you all along. Thanks for taking weekend day trips with me: I had a ton of fun in Howth and Dun Laoghaire. Also, thanks for all those crepes!!

Brendan: Awkward first meeting when I came out of my room wondering why I didn’t have a plunger in my bathroom. I asked you where it was, and then realized you were my second roommate. I am glad we have progressed since then. Thanks for giving Antoine and me our first “Irish welcome” on a night during the second week of class.

Laura: Is it awkward that I don’t remember our very first interaction? Yep. It was probably something like “oh thank goodness! I’m living with another female!” Thanks for being my go-to person whenever I needed someone to talk to. Keep succeeding in Gaelic Football and I cannot wait to watch ya on TV J. You are one of the nicest people I’ve ever met and I always loved the random conversations you, me and Paul would have in Paul’s bedroom.

Paul: You moved in last, and we had such a long introductory conversation that soon it was after 11pm and you still hadn’t moved all your stuff in, so you had to walk all the way around through reception to get back into the building. Sorry. Never have I met a guy who immediately matched my wit, humor and sass. As a wise girl once said, “you’re like my older brother. Except you’re younger than me and I don’t even have an older brother.” Take your shoes off the bed, okay?

Lauren: Sometimes you meet someone and something immediately "clicks" and you feel like you've known them forever. Basically my fifth roommate, I am so lucky to have gotten close with you this semester through our love for Despicable Me and minions. I had so much fun ringing in 21 with ya, and thanks again for letting me stay at your house. I cannot wait for you and your family to come to the US this year. Hopefully see ya soon!!

To the aviation guys,

You guys are hilarious! From the DCU horse races, to just chillin’ in the apartment, to our final night out, thanks for always putting a smile on my face.

Guys, stay in touch. Gonna miss you a ton, and we’ll all have to skype every once in a while!

Xoxo,

Katie

Dtwo

The afternoon before I went out, I said goodbye to Paul and Laura, which was bittersweet...I miss them so much already. 

I spent my second-to-last night through last morning in Ireland at Dtwo Night Club with Lauren, Antoine, Antoine's girlfriend - Alexia, Shane, Michael, Thomas, Connor,  Ben, and so many others. Lauren stayed at my apartment because the buses stop running at 11:30. We got back at 5 this morning, so I am gonna have lots of fun packing today.  

What a way to end my wonderful semester in Dublin. I am so lucky to have met some amazing people! I DON'T WANNA GO HOME!!!

Lauren and me

Gonna miss these guys

Grabbed one last photo with Laura before she left

Castle Day

I had not been to Dublin Castle since February, so I figured it was time to revisit. The courtyard and outside of the castle is nice, but I couldn't figure out how to get in or if I had to buy tickets for a tour...etc. So I ended up going into the church next to Dublin Castle, and walking around. I was disappointed because I had really wanted to see the inside of the castle and learn its history, but oh well, at least I got to learn all about Ireland's oldest castle, Malahide Castle.

I took the DART to Malahide and walked to the castle and gardens. I had been there before with Lauren, but had not seen the inside of the castle. I learned so much history - if you ever want to know anything about Malahide Castle, I am here to inform you.

Dublin Castle

Malahide Castle

Trinity Library

Most of today was spent in City Centre. I walked around St. Stephen's Green, listened to Key West Band on Grafton Street, and then walked to the Trinity College Old Library to see the Book of Kells. The library was spectacular! There were a lot of historical writings, and I wanted to take pictures (I'm a History Major in addition to Comm, so I was really intrigued), but the signs on all the writings said no photography.

As you can see from the first picture, it was an absolutely beautiful day in Dublin!

Later, Ashlee and I met up at the Nubar for goujons. I'm gonna miss the chicken goujons here!!

Also, two of my roomies, Antoine and Brendan, got haircuts today. Must be National Haircuts-for-Males Day. Paul, did ya miss the memo?! Only jokin'.

Bray --> Greystones

I meant to blog yesterday, but completely forgot until it was 11:59 pm, then I figured I might as well blog tomorrow (as in today).

Yesterday (Tuesday, May 27th), I took the DART train (don't think I've described it yet - Dublin Area Rapid Transport) to Bray, because I had been told Bray was beautiful. I walked through the town to the boardwalk, where I found a Gino's, and quickly grabbed a nutella crepe. Om nom nom. There was a carnival in town or something, because everyone had cotton candy. I, however, resisted this temptation.

There was a big green mountain in the back, and I said to myself "okay...gonna go climb the mountain!" As I got further up the road and it wound around the mountain, I found out it was a cliff walk from Bray to Greystones. I had already been to Greystones before, but I continued on the walk, followed by some ladies from Spain who were doing the same. Some parts of it were challenging, but there was a whole uphill part that we did not do that I kinda want to go back and do before I leave Ireland. The walk was about 5.5k, but including the boardwalk, it was probably 6.5k. I was going to do the walk back from Greystones to Bray to double that amount, but I ended up going to Spendlove Coffee and eating a brownie with ice cream. Needless to say, I knew I wouldn't be hiking back.

I'm proud of the new independence I've gained here: I like making my own decisions, not having to wait for people, and doing things on my own time.

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